Re: Cushing’s and Food
Hi Freyja,
Welcome to you and Mack!
How long ago was the test that gave the 153 result (I am asking because the cortisol can drop too low at any time on Vetoryl and loss of appetite is one of the signs for low cortisol). 153 nmol/L converts to 5.55ug/dl which is almost within range so as long as that test was recent, and it sounds as if it was, then the cortisol level should still be ok. How are his signs? Have they improved? Since he is not eating well I would not want the dose increased at all right now because this drug has to have food (fats) in order for the body to absorb and use it. So getting him to eat is the goal right now. You say he is on meds for cognitive support....has Mack developed dementia? If so, then losing the appetite can be part of that sadly. If the dog has the pituitary form of Cushing's and the tumor on that organ starts to grow (which is not common) then that can also cause loss of appetite.
Have you checked the side effects of all the meds he is taking to see if any of them list loss of appetite as a side effect? That would be my first step.
As our babies age their sense of smell starts to fade and appetite starts with smell. Have you tried stinky things like tuna water, fishes like Salmon or Cod, a little bit of Parmesan cheese, or tripe? If not I'd try mixing some of those things with the last food he would eat. I have also had luck with a brand of commercial food called FreshPet for several dogs who didn't want to eat.
I'm glad you found us and hope we can help you and Mack find a path toward eating better soon!
Hugs,
Leslie
"May you know that absence is full of tender presence and that nothing is ever lost or forgotten." John O'Donahue, "Eternal Echoes"
Death is not a changing of worlds as most imagine, as much as the walls of this world infinitely expanding.